According to a source who has spoken with the team’s front office, the Marlins have begun weighing the merits of making a run at the Giants’ infielder to solidify their third base situation. Including Greg Dobbs, who started there in Wednesday’s series finale against the Dodgers, the Marlins have used four different players at third. The plan coming out of spring training was to give Donnie Murphy the bulk of the playing time, but he’s been slowed by injuries and timing issues at the plate.

DeRosa, 36, is an attractive option on a few levels. He’s earning $6 million in the final year of a two-year, $12 million deal. For example, if the Marlins acquired him on May 15, he would cost them about $4.5 million through season’s end. That’s assuming the Giants don’t cover a portion of DeRosa’s money, which they might to get a better prospect. Because his contract is up after 2011, DeRosa wouldn’t block third base prospect Matt Dominguez.

Defensively, DeRosa has logged more career innings at third (2,431) than any other position. He’s below average at this point, but DeRosa also provides the versatility to play second and the outfield. Offensively, DeRosa has totaled just 111 at-bats with the Giants since joining them last season because of a wrist injury. He hit .194 in 2010, but is off to a 6-for-18 start this season. His playing time has been limited with the resurgence of Pablo Sandoval. For his career, DeRosa can boast a .273 average and .342 on-base percentage in almost 3,300 at-bats.

The intangibles are off the chart. DeRosa would have no trouble fitting into the Marlins’ clubhouse.

Comments (13 Comments)

The addition of DeRosa, as well as a lefty starter eventually, would keep the Marlins as the wild-card frontrunners. The question is, will management commit to spending the money to plug these holes? IMO, it would be wise of them to do so in order to re-establish some trust with the fan base, one year before moving into the new stadium. Nothing will help season ticket packages at the new park more than a playoff run.

I agree with some of the things that Ken has said, but one thing did stand out to me that usually bothers me a lot. Mainly because I hear it a lot.
As a Marlins fan, I really wish fans would stop using the excuse that they still feel betrayed by the Marlins. That they need to establish trust again. It was 1997, time to let it go. Thats like still not being over a girlfriend that was really good to us. That makes us look pathetic.

Lets be honest about the situation. The Marlins are not a big market team. We are a small market team. Say it with me everyone, “we are a small market team”. There, doesnt the truth feel better. Now, my other point:

Lets please as a whole, stop saying or using the excuse that we are betrayed as a fan base. This will never make sense to me. It made sense in 1998, and even 1999. Now coming on 14 years later, the argument is pretty much mute. Can we please as a fan base just own up to the fact that we are fickle fans? The Heat, Panthers, and Marlins suffer from our fickleness. The Marlins and Panthers getting the brunt of it.
The Heat obviously are better now because some guy with the last name “James” signed with the team. Im sure you guys heard of him because I am sure that everyone of you has “always been a Heat fan….always”. Just like everyone was “always a Marlins fan” in late late late 2003.

I am not embarrassed that we are fickle. If we are, then we are what we are. It is as simple as that. Believe me when I tell you this, it is much more embarrassing to pretend that we are very loyal, hardcore fans that don’t show up to games because we feel really betrayed. 14 years later, people don’t buy it anymore.

Let me get this, the guy’s 36 (yes I know only needed for 1 yr)and couldn’t hit a lick @ 35. Assuming his glove work is that of a 36yr old as well. How exactly is this an upgrade? And at another 4.5million?

Russell, a Giants fan here. DeRosa’s numbers were so bad last year because he tried to play through a wrist injury. Eventually, they shut him down and he had surgery. I heard him interviewed on the radio a few weeks ago and he was saying that his wrist feels great and he can drive the ball again. But he must have just had some kind of setback since he’s going on the DL.

As long as Donnie Murphy is soon back in New Orleans I don’t care.When Murphy was actually crying awhile back about not being ready when it was obvious the club thought he was ready, that was enough for me.Now we have to read about \inexplicable\ changes in his approach. Donnie, You are responsible!! It’s not inexplicable.

Still not hitting the ball, was glad Sanchez was not hurt, question the Mojica decision but Edwin would have been lauded if Cousins can hit a flyball, can’t have Cogs and LoMo out with Hanley crossing Mendoza Line. This is a VERY GOOD team when everyone is healthy. I don’t care if we play Gotay at 3rd, let’sjust reunite Murphy with the French Quarter.

Will go watch OUR Greensboro team play Greenville tonight.Will be checking out Yelich, Ozuna and acouple of others.

Mark’s best years are behind him. Good clubhouse guy. But if the Marlins were really serious looking for a quality third baseman and in the playoff hunt in late july, can I suggest Aramis Ramirez of the Cubs! More power, better glove, and will be a good RBI guy. Plus, Aramis is in his last year of his contract. Now let me hear all those Marlins experts why DeRosa is a better 3B guy than Ramirez..

I personally don’t think we need him, especially at that price tag. With the way Bonifacio has been hitting, and assuming Morrison comes back healthy and ready in a couple weeks (or less), why not slide Infante over to 3rd and have Bonifacio play 2nd (or vice versa)? Worth a shot.

The Marlins should instead be keeping their eye
on the MIAMI HEAT as they pummel the pathetic
76`ers by 44 point tonight. At half, the lead will be
35…… MIAMI HEAT —-2011 world champions !!!!!
Marlins in 2011 ???? maybe !!!!!!

Much to like so far this year. The Uggla trade (which I didn’t like) seems to be an overall plus at this point. Really like that Dunn kid. De Rosa would have been a fine pickup…5 years ago. Ramiriz on Chicago isn’t going anywhere; that is unrealistic. How about Chavez from the Yankees if we really need someone? Personally, I don;t think 3B would be a problem if we hadn’t lost LoMo. Bono is a better fielder, more disruptive player, and probably a better hitter than most others out there. Once LoMo is back, we can play Bono at 3B with a little Dobbs mixed in.

Cousins was a personal favorite, but when he misses the ball it seems to be by a foot. Outside of the Grand Slam, he’s been a disappointment. What happened to that Dwanne kid who took free agency rarher than a trip to the minors after Spring Training? I’d take him back in a flash and unless Coghlan’s injury is serious, he could help out in LF freeing Bono for more time at 3B. Dominguez’ injury was healing faster than expected, so he could (hopefully) become a factor by this Summer. That’s another reason to not seek a mediocre 3B stop gap measure.

Did any of you hear that defensive stat freak on TV say Coghlan has cost us -2 runs so far this year in CF? Really? I’ve seen every game on one TV station or another, and haven’t seen him hurt us on defense at all. Love to hear other opinions. He also said Stanton was best RF in baseball last year and saved us +17 runs. He did do a nice job last year. But +17 runs worth of nice? If he said +5 or so, that would seem realistic. Again, others out there, show me how wrong I am!

As a Giants fan, I’ll let you know, you don’t want DeRosa. He’s great for the clubhouse, but he’s damaged goods. He has not recovered from a wrist surgery that he had after the 2009 season. He tried to play last year and got shut down for the season after one painful month. He hasn’t been healthy in consecutive days this year and I don’t think he’ll ever be healthy again. He’s 36 and I’m pretty sure he’s done. He was placed on the DL today with the same wrist problems. When it’s all said and done, unless we pay his entire salary and you guys give up nothing, he’s not worth it. Great guy, but useless between the lines. Good luck this year, can you please beat the Phillies a couple of times to give us home field advantage in the NLCS? Thanks

Advertisement

About the author

JUAN C. RODRIGUEZ
My career covering the Marlins has been all about good timing. At Florida Today, I became the...